Read More

He said: “It’s been a case of trying to build some continuity and they’ve only brought three players in and only a few have left.

“Paul has always been one to value continuity, so I think it comes out of that and they’ve got some good players.

“They’ve managed to keep David Wheeler who was the top scorer and Reuben Reid has had a full pre-season under his belt and loks a bit leaner and sharper.

“Sometimes playing with Ollie Watkins (who was sold to Brentford for an undisclosed fee) could stifle him because he was playing more of a hold-up role, so he should be more of a goal threat and I think he can play a big part this season.”

Read More

Apart from Watkins, who scored 16 goals last season, Exeter have also lost talented 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu to Chelsea and Joel Grant to arch-rivals Plymouth after the striker snubbed the offer of a new deal from those who played a significant part last term.

But defender Luke Croll has returned following a successful loan spell from Crystal Palace last season and they have also brought back an old favourite in the shape of Dean Moxey, eight years after his move to Derby, along with former Plymouth striker Ryan Brunt.

However, Byrom said Moxey has yet to feature in pre-season due to injury, while Brunt is still getting up to full speed after being out long-term with a knee injury and may only be included among the substitutes.

Read More

He said: “At a fans’ forum on Tuesday night, Paul Tisdale said they’d expected him to be out for nine months, but he’s back now and he has played in pre-season.

“They’re just trying to nurse him back, but I guess he could be on the bench.

“He only scored one goal last season, but he’s quite popular in the dressing room and among the fans because he tries his best.”

If last season was a case of what could have been for Exeter after a terrible start that saw them pick up just one point from their first 10 home league games, Tisdale is keen for the Grecians to hit their stride from the off this time around.

Byrom said: “If they can get off to a good start, it will banish those demons from the play-offs.”